The College recognises that protecting students from harm and in-appropriate behaviour is fundamental to maximising their potential.  For this reason the welfare and best interests of the students within our College will always be a primary consideration. We expect our students to show respect to our staff and volunteers and to comply with safe practices, and we expect all employees to ensure that their behaviour towards and relationships with students reflect proper standards of care for students, and are not unprofessional or unlawful.  The College will respond diligently to a report of suspected or actual harm, or risk of harm to a student.

What does the College mean by harm?

Recent Queensland legislation defines harm as:

• Any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.  It is immaterial how the harm is caused.  Harm can be caused by;
• Physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect;
• Sexual abuse or exploitation.

How does the College protect students from harm?

The College has a comprehensive Student Protection Policy. This covers the actions to be taken if a member of staff or a parent of the school becomes aware of, or reasonably suspects that a student has been harmed by other staff, people outside the school or by other students.

What to do if you become aware or reasonably suspect that harm has been caused to a student of the school by a member of staff, someone outside of the school or by other students.

You are encouraged to report your concerns to a Student Protection Contact Officer or Headmaster or to any other member of the teaching staff.

What will happen next?

If you report your concerns to a member of staff other than the Headmaster, the member of staff must report it to the Headmaster immediately. Or if the subject of the complaint is the Headmaster then the member of staff must report to the Chairman of the College Board.

What will the Headmaster or the Chairman of the Board do?

The Headmaster or Chairman of the Board receives a report of harm or suspected harm to a student of the College; and he/she becomes aware of the harm/sexual abuse having been caused or reasonably suspects the harm to have been caused then it will be reported to the relevant State Authorities handling child protection issues.  Or it may be dealt with internally if the matter does not require mandatory reporting to an outside body.

What about confidentiality?

Your report will be treated in a confidential manner and with respect.  Knowledge of it will be limited to the Headmaster and those directly involved.  The Chairman of the College Board may also need to be informed.  It is the College’s policy that confidentiality between the College and notifiers will be respected as much as possible and any concerns raised will not rebound adversely on their children.

Each person who has access to information regarding suspected or disclosed harm has an obligation to observe appropriate confidentiality.  However, the College is unable to promise absolute confidentiality since the steps of the Policy will require disclosing, internally and externally, certain details involved in responding to the report.  State Authorities can compel people to give evidence about actions under the Policy and to produce documents.  You would be fully informed if information you provided were to be passed on to a third party.

Any action which needed to be taken under staff disciplinary procedures as a result of an allegation not requiring police intervention would be handled confidentiality within the College.

How will the College help my child?

The Headmaster will ensure that the following things are done to reduce the chance of harm occurring:

• Ensure that each staff member understands and fulfils their obligations under this Policy and the Policy for reporting abuse;
• Ensure that there are acceptable references for each staff member engaged since the commencement of this protocol, from his or her previous employers;
• Ensure that each staff member and volunteer who has contact with children has a current positive suitability notice issued by the Commissioner for Children and Young People;
• Ensure the students of the College understand the policy is in place and are encouraged to report any inappropriate behaviours;

If the Headmaster receives a report of harm to your child, he/she will support the child by:

• Responding rapidly and diligently to the report;
• Reassuring the student;
• Protecting the child’s confidentiality as much as possible;
• Offering continuous support; and
• Arranging counselling if requested/required.

What should I do if I require more information?

The College’s complete Student Protection Policy is available at the school administration.  Parents and students may have access to this policy at any time.